The Topkapi Palace is the best reflection of the imperial era in Istanbul and symbolizes the power that reached Constantinople as the seat of the Ottoman Empire. From this palace the sultans ruled their empire until the mid-nineteenth century.

The construction of the Topkapi Palace began shortly after Mehmed II took Constantinople. The initial palace was inaugurated in 1465. During the following decades the palace was enlarged by the different rulers.

In 1856, Sultan Abdulmecid decided to move his residence to the Palace Dolmabahçe, a palace of western court.
Distribution of the Topkapi Palace

In its 700,000 square meters, Topkapi Palace has four courtyards and multiple buildings inside: weapons room, kitchen, stables, treasure and many more.

In the same enclosure (inside its walls) is the Archaeological Museum and other buildings of interest.

Among the many parts of the palace, one of the most important is the Treasury.

The Treasure has some of the most valuable objects in the world, such as the diamond of the cucharero (a diamond of 88 carats that belonged to Letizia Ramolino, mother of Napoleon) or the topkapi dagger (the most expensive weapon in the world, built in gold with Emeralds embedded).

The Harem was the place where the Sultan lived, his family and a group of between 500 and 800 women of high cultural level trained in certain abilities. The Queen Mother was responsible for the Harem.